WEST WINDSOR, N.J. -- Eight Fairfield University student-athletes were honored with a spot on the 2012 Metro Atllantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) All-Academic team this evening. The announcement was made at the championship banquet which takes place at Mercer Lake in New Jersey.

On the men's side, Floris-Jan Floris (Aardenhout, Netherlands), Matthew McNeil (Medway, Mass.), and Brendan Spearing (Philadelphia,Pa.) received recognition for their academic success. Five women were also lauded for their academic achievement, namely Avery Adams (Kansas City, Mo.), Molly Graffam (Bristol, Conn.), Lorena Gullottta (Naugatuck, Conn.), Elizabeth Kavanagh (Yonkers, N.Y.), and Pauline Santos (Bridgeport, Conn.).

Floris is a sophomore who lists international studies as his major. Most recently, Floris completed in the varsity 4 and varsity 8 at the Spring Metropolitan Championships. McNeil also rowed two events at the Spring Mets, competing in the varsity 8 and the pair. The junior is a psychology major. Spearing was also part of the varsity 8 and varsity 4 at the Spring Mets. He lists nursing as his major.

The men's varsity 8 and varsity pair both took second place in their respective event, while the varsity 4 secured fifth at the Spring Mets.

Kavanagh and Graffam competed in three events during the Spring Mets, namely the varsity pair, varsity 4, and varsity 8. The pair finished third, while the varsity 4 and 8 took first place in their respective races at the championship. Kavanagh is a sophomore nursing student, while Graffam is studying chemistry as a junior. Gullotta competed in the varsity 8 and varsity 4 last weekend. She is a sophomore who is studying politics. Adams and Santos, are both sophomores in the international business program.

The Stags will compete in teh 2012 MAAC championships on Saturday, the first conference championship since the 2010 season. The 2011 championships were cancelled due to weather and dangerous water conditions. For up-to-date information regarding this year's championship, please visit the MAAC rowing championship central page.